Mexican Silver Coins

Mexican Silver Coins have a very rich long history. The Mexican Mint, Case de Monede de Mexico was established in 1535, by Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza with the authority and behalf of the King of Spain for New Spain in New Spain’s capital Mexico City. Case de Monde is the oldest min in the Americas. Mexico is a country with rich gold and silver natural resources and has been striking coins for domestic and international use.

Mexico has been producing about 15% of the world’s annual silver production. Mexico’s Zacatecas region has been mined for silver since 1546 and currently the World’s second largest mine, the Fresnillo mine, is there.

Even though Mexico doesn’t strike silver coins for circulation anymore, they have been minting 99.9% fine silver bullion since 1983. The Mexican Silver Libertad Bullion Coin is available in a wide range of sizes, with weights of: 1 kilogram, and several troy ounces varieties; 5, 2, 1, ½, ¼, 1/10, and 1/20. The ‘winged Liberty’ design is an adoption of the 1947 Mexico’s 50 Pesos which is a 37.5% silver coin.

1947 Mexican 50 Pesos obverse

Over the five centuries of Case de Monede de Mexico collectors can look at various categories. Here are some suggested by the Mexican Mint and an abbreviated survey for Mexican Silver Coins: Colonial, Independent, under an Emperor, Republic under foreigners, Pre-Revolution, 1905, and Current.

Since this article isn’t intended to describe all of the Mexican Silver Coins excuse this jump to the one peso silver coins to give an idea of the changes of silver content Mexican Silver Coins have under gone through out the twentieth century.

Here is a point of interest to illustrate the use of silver by the Mexican Mint. The 25 Peso coin in 1972 and the 100 Peso coin from 1977-1979 are both 72.0% silver. However looking at the concurrent one peso coin they stopped using silver in any amount; 1970-1983 “Morelos Facing Left” is a nickel and copper alloy, 27.5 mm in diameter.